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Here is the bio Karen sent me. Having known her for a number of years I can assure you it is very modest compared to the contributions she has made and the people she has helped. In our chat we cover some of the other things Karen has done which are not reflected in the below bio.
In 1998, Karen Simmons a mother of seven, founded Autism Today, the first online global autism resource center, winning the Internet Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001 from Multiple Streams of Income. Featured on PBS, ABC & Woman’s World, she is a “Chicken Soup for the Soul, Children with Special Needs” Co-Author and manifested 14 books including Gold Medal winning “The Official Autism 101 Manual” and hosted 72 conferences across North America.
Prior to her current path, Karen worked as a gemologist where she discovered the magic of gemstones. She joined the US Air Force, where she worked in a base hospital and lived across the United States.
Karen now lives in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, is transitioning Autism Today into a non profit, Autism Today Foundation with her partner Vincent dela Luna. They plan to share information through a Channel, ARTS network and Learning & Education Division. This will easily and affordably provide resources that are needed to the autism world and beyond.
[email protected]
[email protected]
https://autismtoday.com/
Here is the bio Karen sent me. Having known her for a number of years I can assure you it is very modest compared to the contributions she has made and the people she has helped. In our chat we cover some of the other things Karen has done which are not reflected in the below bio.
In 1998, Karen Simmons a mother of seven, founded Autism Today, the first online global autism resource center, winning the Internet Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001 from Multiple Streams of Income. Featured on PBS, ABC & Woman’s World, she is a “Chicken Soup for the Soul, Children with Special Needs” Co-Author and manifested 14 books including Gold Medal winning “The Official Autism 101 Manual” and hosted 72 conferences across North America.
Prior to her current path, Karen worked as a gemologist where she discovered the magic of gemstones. She joined the US Air Force, where she worked in a base hospital and lived across the United States.
Karen now lives in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, is transitioning Autism Today into a non profit, Autism Today Foundation with her partner Vincent dela Luna. They plan to share information through a Channel, ARTS network and Learning & Education Division. This will easily and affordably provide resources that are needed to the autism world and beyond.
[email protected]
[email protected]
https://autismtoday.com/
Peter and I had a great time talking. I am convinced I would have a great time handing out with him! Below is his formal bio.
Peter Mann is the CEO & Founder of Virginia-based Oransi, a leading air purification company known for its efficient, intuitive and reliable products for consumers, schools, organizations and businesses. He also is the Chair of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers’ Air Cleaner Council. In 2021, Oransi merged with Aviemore Technologies and is now a motor technology company with a clean energy mission. Oransi’s new manufacturing facility in Radford, Virginia is making products in the USA with advanced motor technologies. Previously, Peter was the Founder & CEO of the Austin, Texas-based Alen Corp., an air purification company he built, and after 7 years had a successful exit. He went to college on a Navy ROTC scholarship and then served 4 years, including a tour in the Red Sea during the First Gulf War. He was a communications officer and then gunnery officer on the USS McCandless. Peter is late diagnosed autistic and now advocates for autism awareness in the workplace. Connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-mann/
OPPS, Sorry if you got a corrupted download. I was trying some beta software and somewhere along the way missed a very poor file. A new clean version is now available.
Peter and I had a great time talking. I am convinced I would have a great time handing out with him! Below is his formal bio.
Peter Mann is the CEO & Founder of Virginia-based Oransi, a leading air purification company known for its efficient, intuitive and reliable products for consumers, schools, organizations and businesses. He also is the Chair of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers’ Air Cleaner Council. In 2021, Oransi merged with Aviemore Technologies and is now a motor technology company with a clean energy mission. Oransi’s new manufacturing facility in Radford, Virginia is making products in the USA with advanced motor technologies. Previously, Peter was the Founder & CEO of the Austin, Texas-based Alen Corp., an air purification company he built, and after 7 years had a successful exit. He went to college on a Navy ROTC scholarship and then served 4 years, including a tour in the Red Sea during the First Gulf War. He was a communications officer and then gunnery officer on the USS McCandless. Peter is late diagnosed autistic and now advocates for autism awareness in the workplace. Connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-mann/
Theo Smith is the co-author of the Business Book Awards Winner for best book in DE&I ‘Neurodiversity At Work: Drive innovation, performance and productivity with a neurodiverse workforce’. He’s worked in the recruitment and employment sector as a leader for over 15 years.
He brings plenty of lived experience to ND at work, as someone who associates with being ND, Dyslexic, ADHD, Autistic and… He is also the Dad of a neurologically diverse family.
I had a great time chatting with Theo. Besides being a bright guy to chat with on a range of topics, Theo brings the understanding of needing to meet those wanting to learn about neurodiversity and become neuroinclusive where they are at. No radical agendas or making neurotypicals feel bad to boost the neurodistinct. As you will hear Theo bring clear straight forward thought and dialogue to our tremendously enjoyable discussion.
ND by Design
50 Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow Globally in 2023
80 Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow UK in 2023
ND at Work
https://www.linkedin.com/in/theosmithuk/
Theo Smith is the co-author of the Business Book Awards Winner for best book in DE&I ‘Neurodiversity At Work: Drive innovation, performance and productivity with a neurodiverse workforce’. He’s worked in the recruitment and employment sector as a leader for over 15 years.
He brings plenty of lived experience to ND at work, as someone who associates with being ND, Dyslexic, ADHD, Autistic and… He is also the Dad of a neurologically diverse family.
I had a great time chatting with Theo. Besides being a bright guy to chat with on a range of topics, Theo brings the understanding of needing to meet those wanting to learn about neurodiversity and become neuroinclusive where they are at. No radical agendas or making neurotypicals feel bad to boost the neurodistinct. As you will hear Theo bring clear straight forward thought and dialogue to our tremendously enjoyable discussion.
ND by Design
50 Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow Globally in 2023
80 Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow UK in 2023
ND at Work
https://www.linkedin.com/in/theosmithuk/
I think Rebecca Beam is one of the most knowledgeable people around when it comes to neurodistinct and particularly autistic employment. Starting before it became a "thing" with global tech companies Rebecca was a co-founder of Mindspark which trained and employed autistic individuals to do QA work for major companies.
When Mindspark was sold to Auticon https://smmirror.com/2018/06/santa-monica-company-acquired-by-leading-employer-of-people-with-autism/ Rebecca became the president and CEO of Auticon USA. She has again founded a new company Zavikon https://www.zavikon.net/ to help individuals find the right career and companies to find the right talent.
Join us as we discuss neurodistinct employment and some of the ways Rebecca is helping individuals find career jobs though the training and support Zavikon provides.
You can learn more about Zavikon and contact them at:
https://www.zavikon.net/
or reach Rebecca at:
[email protected]
With employment for autistic and other neurodistinct individuals now a very hot topic many different approaches are being tried. There is the Autism, now labeled Neurodiversity, at work efforts of some of the largest companies in the world to small mom & pops. From the other direction there are programs springing up trying to figure out how to train and prepare these individuals to join the workforce or move up to a job that meets their skills. Stacey comes from an organization that has already figured it out.
nonPareil is a non profit group founded by 2 dads with autistic children in 2010. Stacey is also the dad of an autistic child. He works to further nonPareil's goal of "Building Better Futures for Adults with Autism" and growing the organization. They now have 4 locations and the complete program online for those who are not near their facilities. New buildings are being built and states and cities are asking to have a branch to help the autistic in their area.
Listen in as Stacy and Tim talk about nonPareil, autism in the workplace, and many other topics. This is episode 1 of a 2 episode session. Listen, enjoy, and be impressed with the amazing work Stacey and nonPareil are doing.
Stacey Ford's Email : [email protected]
non-Pareil website : https://npusa.org/
With employment for autistic and other neurodistinct individuals now a very hot topic many different approaches are being tried. There is the Autism, now labeled Neurodiversity, at work efforts of some of the largest companies in the world to small mom & pops. From the other direction there are programs springing up trying to figure out how to train and prepare these individuals to join the workforce or move up to a job that meets their skills. Stacey comes from an organization that has already figured it out.
nonPareil is a non profit group founded by 2 dads with autistic children in 2010. Stacey is also the dad of an autistic child. He works to further nonPareil's goal of "Building Better Futures for Adults with Autism" and growing the organization. They now have 4 locations and the complete program online for those who are not near their facilities. New buildings are being built and states and cities are asking to have a branch to help the autistic in their area.
Listen in as Stacy and Tim talk about nonPareil, autism in the workplace, and many other topics. This is episode 1 of a 2 episode session. Listen, enjoy, and be impressed with the amazing work Stacey and nonPareil are doing.
Stacey Ford's Email : [email protected]
non-Pareil website : https://npusa.org/
Dr Lutza Ireland is an Autistic/ADHD multi-award-winning social designer, psychologist and international speaker located in Australia. Her design guidelines and trainings have been integrated into national and international organizations looking to build capability for neuroinclusion and mental health.
She uses design thinking and co-design methods to develop systems, services and resources for cognitive and sensory accessibility, based on universal design. Dr Lutza currently specialises in the design, implementation and consultancy on neurodiversity employment pilots; and design of neurodiversity and mental health related learning and development (L&D) services and materials. Clients and collaborations include Accenture, Avanade, Google and Rio Tinto.
Dr Ireland can be reached through her LinkedIn page:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lutza-ireland-5b028116b/
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